‘It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me’ says knitting fan after making hobby cool again with 2,500-strong club
A KNITTING fan has made her favourite hobby cool again after starting a 'Stitches and Bitches' club for young people - which already boasts 2,500 members.
Indy Jasmin, 28, has been a keen knitter and cross-stitcher since the age of eight.
But she became frustrated recently after scouring social media for a group of like-minded people to join and finding nothing.
So she decided to launch her own craft, threading and stitching group to offer a hobby which is booze and device 'scrolling' free.
She says she was tired of spending too much time online and frustrated with the lack of sober activities available.
The part-time marketing design team member created her own club complete with its own logo and Facebook page.
Indy began setting up weekly events, where members could meet at a restaurant in Edinburgh city centre for crafting and conversation.
Now, the group has over 2,500 members, made up of mostly women from age 18-40 - all searching for an alcohol and screen-free way to meet new people.
Indy said: ''I wanted to meet some like-minded people and make some friends, because making friends in adulthood is increasingly difficult.
"I've had crafty hobbies since I was eight years old, and I've kept up the hobby throughout my whole life.
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"But cross-stitching, threading and knitting is usually associated with the older generation, and most people think it's really old-fashioned.
"I looked at some craft clubs and didn’t see any that appealed to me.
"There was one club that I saw - but when I messaged the girl in charge, she didn't seem very friendly.
"I thought if that's what other people's experience is like, then I'll make my own - so that's exactly what I did."
She added: "I made a logo, I made a Facebook page, and I gave myself a little bit of branding.
"I really expected a couple dozen people to be interested, and then very quickly, it grew to hundreds – now we’re at around 2,500.
"It’s grown through word of mouth, and I advertise on other Edinburgh community pages."
Indy hosts meetings every weekend, with members of all skill levels attending.
She teaches new hobbyists how to knit, cross-stitch and thread, and encourages participants to get chatting throughout.
It’s one of the best things I’ve ever experienced. I’ve seen it benefit so many people.
Indy Jasmin
Indy believes that the group provides an important outlet for people - and says that most of the members join to be part of an alcohol free space, and to help stay off their phones.
"It was a bit of a learning curve – I’d never taught anybody before," she said.
"I got some really positive feedback, and I've learnt things as I went.
"I think there are three things that this club has that have really ticked people's boxes.
"They're feeling a lack of community in their lives, so joining this club fulfills that need.
"Then, there's spending less time on their phone - I've already seen that people are starting to reach for their knitting or their cross-stitching before reaching for their phone.
"Most people spend their working days by the screen, and then when they get home, they’re relaxing by the TV or on their laptop or phone. It feels like there’s not much of an escape.
"Zero-alcohol is a really important part of it. I feel like a lot of people feel like they need alcohol to socialise, but this is a very sober activity.
"I think my club is offering a solution to these three issues, and it’s one of the best things I’ve ever experienced. I’ve seen it benefit so many people."
For Indy, the group has allowed her to make long-lasting adult friendships and enabled her to help others do the same.
"I never imagined so many people would take an interest," Indy said.
"I’ve made a friend group from it – which is something that I’d hoped for, but I didn’t know how achievable it was, because you can’t force friendships.
"It happened naturally – I met people with the same hobbies and in the same age range, and we often spend time together on the weekends.
"It's the best thing that's ever happened to me.
"Additionally, seeing other people down the table chatting away and exchanging numbers and social media handles is really great."
Now, Indy plans to branch out, hoping to expand the group across Scotland - and she also hopes to welcome more men into the club.
"I think there’s an opportunity, especially with my marketing background, to really elevate it and make it a lot bigger," she said.
"One of my next steps is making it more approachable for men. Men have joined, but not many - I don't know whether that's to do with marketing or because it is a typically female hobby.
"I’d like to expand into other areas, and hopefully branch out across Scotland.
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"I’m currently launching my own kits, and what I plan to do is go into universities and schools and teach people how to cross-stitch.
"I want to help people realise there’s a solution to scrolling addiction and making friends that doesn’t involve alcohol."